Tech

My favorite iPad for traveling isn’t the Pro or Air model — and it’s $100 off for Black Friday


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Key points of ZDNET

  • The iPad Mini 7 is currently priced at $500, although on Amazon it has been reduced to $400.
  • The compact iPad Mini 7 has gone everywhere with me this past week, slipping easily into pockets and purses without weighing them down.
  • Aside from the more powerful A17 Pro chip, the iPad Mini 7 doesn’t have many upgrades (especially for 6th generation users), plus its screen has the highest refresh rate of 60Hz.

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I have used many tablets in my day but never thought about buying one iPad Mini. Because of its size, the small 8.3-inch tablet has always been a good choice for my nieces and nephews, and I never really felt the need for a small tablet when I already had a 6. 7 inches. iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Also: The best Black Friday deals available

However, my perception changed when I started using the recently launched iPad Mini 7. I’ve always loved big screens on tablets, but I underestimated how convenient a compact iPad would be in my daily life. I’ve been carrying the iPad Mini 7 everywhere for the past month, being able to slip the 8.3-inch device into my purse without it weighing me down – or sticking out of my pocket.

As a result, I used the iPad Mini in a variety of situations where I found myself looking for entertainment, including when a lengthy medical infusion kept me in a chair for nearly five hours.

Also: iPad Air (2024) Review: Apple’s M2 tablet is the iPad most people should buy

Unfortunately, that’s where the iPad Mini 7 reaches its limits: its entertainment capabilities. This small tablet isn’t a power user’s dream or a remote worker’s take-anywhere solution. Honestly, it would be easier to work with my cheaper price iPad 10th generation than the $500 iPad Mini 7, so it’s hard to justify the price for a tablet that’s primarily good for gaming and media consumption.

The iPad 10th Gen’s larger screen gives me more space to edit photos and videos, and there’s a lot of prestige to offer. keyboard options to write and edit documents. However, the 10th generation iPad does not support it Apple Pencil Pro or Apple is smartwhat the iPad Mini 7 can do.

iPad Mini 7

iPad Calculator Math Notes does the calculations for you and tells you when you make mistakes (in red).

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

iPad Mini 7 has the A17 Pro chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Maxand is also compatible with Apple Intelligence.

I tried the Apple Intelligence features on the iPad Mini 7 once iPadOS 18.1 was released a few days ago. This software update includes Writing Tools, a redesigned Siri, Priority messages and notifications, a summary tool, Smart Reply, and a Cleanup tool in Photos.

Also: For me, the iPad Mini 7 is almost perfect – except that it’s missing one important feature

I found more glitches in Apple Game mode than when using Apple Intelligence, but I wasn’t impressed by the iPad Mini’s general AI features. In defense of the iPad Mini, the Game Mode glitch appears to be an iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 issue rather than a device-specific issue. I’ve been experiencing similar errors on my iPhone 14 Pro Max since updating to iOS 18.

iPad Mini 7 (2024)

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

As a user ChatGPT and other synthetic AI tools every day, I see Apple Intelligence features needing further refinement and development. This isn’t surprising since Apple is notorious for falling behind in the AI ​​race, but I, like many other Apple users, was hoping for more.

Also: Does your iPhone restart after inactivity? It’s a feature, not a bug

For this reason, and because the release date for the remaining Apple Intelligence features is TBD, I don’t recommend buying the iPad Mini 7 just for the AI ​​features. But I recommend it to anyone looking for a forward-looking entertainment tablet that can go almost anywhere.

ZDNET Buying Tips

the iPad Mini 7 compact and fast, and its Apple silicon processor is built to last for years. While I wouldn’t buy it for its AI features or for media editing, it’s a great companion tablet for Apple users looking for a device that can travel with them. It also works well for quick work, like video editing in CapCut or a social media post in PS Express.

Also: 6 useful features of Final Cut Pro 11 that will excite creators – including iPad users

Apple appears determined to make Apple Intelligence its future, but the path is full of obstacles and stumbles. While Apple promises a great set of innovative AI tools, the company has many challenges. If you are wondering, buy the iPad Mini 7 because it is an entertainment tablet, not what Apple promises. If you’re a power user looking for a more capable tablet, you’re best off look elsewhere.

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